Amex pays 1x on restaurants where Chase pays 3x. From last times post, note that American Express has discontinued its Platinum version of the card, so the Reserve card is the closest comparison to the CIBC and TD Visa Infinite Privilege versions. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. In short, it wont do much good to have a credit card if its not accepted at the retailers you plan to visit. But in terms of comparing eligibility requirements for Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, American Express may be the hardest issuer to qualify for as most cards require applicants to have a good credit score of at least 670 to qualify. Editors note: This post has been updated with new information. Flights booked directly with the airlines and flights and hotel stays booked directly with Amex Travel earn 5x points. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Disclaimer:Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards. You can travel for as low as 15,000 points. How do credit cards make money if you don't pay interest? U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card. However, despite the sizable annual fee, it is one of the best cards out there for heavy travelers. 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Terms apply to offers below. Travel accident insurance and 24/7 travel assistance services are included as well. Personally, I'll continue to ask Amex for its massive city guides before any future trips as a way to supplement my own research, and I'll be asking Citi to handle COVID-19 logistics. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. For more information on our advertisers, see here. The Visa Infinite concierge is a free personal assistance phone line available 24/7: (888) 853-4458 in the U.S. or (630) 350-4545 if you're traveling abroad. AMEX Points vs. Chase Points: Which is Better? The card awards 3x points for commercial air travel, 2x points for gas and groceries, and 1 point for all other eligible purchases. There is a chance that I could receive a follow-up email from them in the near future. Almost all Canadian credit cards impose a hefty 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in currencies other than the Canadian dollar. Can you pay off a 72 month car loan early? Having a platinum credit card used to mean that your credit card was more exclusive and elite than a normal credit card. Best Alternatives to American Express Platinum, 3. United and Southwest cards are only offered on Visa. 4. Winner: The clear winner here is Platinum Card Concierge. Avion is a bank-specific frequent flyer program operated by the Royal Bank of Canada (one of Canada's Big Five banks). Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Heres everything you need to know about these 3 credit card processors and the main differences between them. Visa is only a payment network and has cards issued by other banks, like Chase, Bank of America, etc. However, would an American Express Platinum Alternative be better for you? How does this compare to the American Express Platinum card? One of his favorite tools (here's my treasure chest of tools,, everything I use) is Personal Capital, which enables him to manage his finances in just 15-minutes each month. The Platinum card gets you double the welcome points for less than twice the annual fee, however. Mainly this means that you will contact American Express customer service department for any issue you have with your card, but if you have a Visa, you will contact your cards issuer if you have any issues. And with the current welcome bonus off, youll get 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in purchases within your first six months. 4. Score: 4.4/5 ( 20 votes ) The RBC Visa Platinum Avion ($120 annual fee) lets you earn 1 RBC Rewards point per $1 spent on the card and comes with a 15,000-point credit card sign-up bonus. Most cards allow you to apply your earnings as a statement credit, purchase gift cards and other merchandise, and receive cash payments via a check or bank account deposit. Get cash when you need it. But first, below are the highlights of each respective cards and then provided my commentary on some of the key factors to compare. The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection benefit provides for additional benefits at select hotels and resorts, such as early check-in and late check-out. Most Visa Platinum cards require a credit score in the 600s. None of the concierge services could fulfill my requests on the spot (which is to be expected), so where the differences started to become strikingly apparent was how long it took them to follow up. While there were so many options to choose from, I appreciated that each description was concise yet informative. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card or any of the Additional Cards on your Platinum Card account. American Express AeroplanPlus in Computer Science and Economics from Carnegie Mellon University, an M.S. The Visa Platinum is the second tier of the four Visa credit card types. American Express processes transactions for both its own American Express cards and cards from other issuers that use the American Express network. While it hasn't quite reached the heights of Aeroplan or Air Miles, Avion is an up-and-coming travel rewards program offered by RBC (one of Canada's Big Five banks). appeared in the New York Times, Baltimore Sun, Entrepreneur, and Marketplace Money, 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 in purchases within your first six months, 5X points flights booked directly with the airlines and hotels booked with Amex Travel, 1X on everything else, 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months. However, if you plan to travel internationally, a Visa or Mastercard may be a better option for you. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. You must call UBS or contact your UBS Financial Advisor to apply for the card. Why was my car loan removed from credit report? Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. After that, she knew that she was destined to travel as much as possible. Thats better than American Express. The card awards 3x points for commercial air travel, 2x points for gas and groceries, and 1 point for all other eligible purchases. If youre looking for a business card that earns high cashback rates, you may want to compare the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and the Gold American Express. I could see this being a great service if you have an extensive amount of time in a new place and have no idea what to do. Points earnings as a whole are better with the Platinum card. They took it a step further and provided a quick blurb about the cuisine, if a restaurant was card-only, its atmosphere and more. There are all sorts of credit cards on the market including cash-back cards, rewards cards, business cards, etc. We briefly discussed the benefits above, but you need to decide what you are looking to get back from a credit card. If you have lost your Visa card, we can help block your account, send a replacement card and provide emergency cash. They even gave us a heads-up that one of the restaurants gets booked up quickly, so reservations are recommended. Meanwhile, Visa Infinite Concierge merely provided a brief sentence or two about each There are also some lounges that you can access via the Plat directly, like Delta SkyClubs. TPG also values Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each, making this bonus worth $1,200. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. It's free. This bonus value is an estimated valuation. What transactions get reported to the IRS? The Capital One Venture Rewards card doesnt have the high-end benefits that the Platinum card does. At face value, there appears to be no difference between the types of services offered. The Visa Infinite concierge can help you do things like book restaurant reservations, select gifts or obtain event tickets right when they go on sale. Greece has recently reopened to travelers. Examples of other companies that use the American Express payment network include Bank of America, BBVA Compass, Citigroup, U.S. Bank, USAA, and Wells Fargo. Therefore, you will get more points with it than with the 1.5 points of the TD card. To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following links: Platinum Card from American Express: See Rates and Fees. Having the ability to choose travel or financial redemption options makes the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card a great asset; however, Aeroplan points are worth more. It seems likely that a huge reason for this increase is due to the fees between the networks becoming closer aligned. Chase pays more for restaurants (after your six month 10x rewards with Amex expires). WebWinner: Platinum Card Concierge wins even if they provided the same number of recommendations as Visa Infinite Concierge. Learn more about the Mastercard Black Card. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. All other purchases will get 1x AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent. It's better than a Visa Classic but less luxurious than a Visa Signature or Visa Infinite. You probably factor in a number of things when picking your next credit card,including the cards travel rewards, cash-back potential, interest rates, and more. Add that to the 10 types of purchase and travel insurance that are included, and this card is definitely worth considering. Global ATM network. When comparing all 3 networks, there is 1 main difference between American Express and Mastercard/Visa. The Wells Fargo Active CashSMCard is no different. Finding a PCR test to return to the traveler's home country. Global ATM network. If youre looking for a business card that earns high cashback rates, you may want to compare the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and the Gold American Express. An Avion credit card lets you earn RBC points wherever you shop and has a more flexible redemption schedule than other frequent flyer programs. The Visa Platinum is the second tier of the four Visa credit card types. Winner: The Amex Platinum takes the lead in this first category, especially if you are targeted for an elevated offer through CardMatch. by J.D. If you want a card specific to the hotel or airline you frequently use, you might be restricted to certain networks. All Rights Reserved. Most Visa Platinum cards require a credit score in the 600s. Having reliable, timely support is essential for uninterrupted business operations. For a Visa Infinite credit card, in order to qualify, you need an income of at least $60,000 personal or $100,000 household. It seemed like this concierge service knew everything there was to know about coronavirus protocols in Greece, including hard-to-find information about boat travel restrictions and finding a PCR test to return to your home country. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here. I had had an Avion visa infinite privilege for many years. For additional information, please review our advertising disclosure. What credit score does Chase use for auto loans? Check here before booking an award fare. And 3x points on all other travel purchases. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021. It's better than a Visa Classic but less luxurious than a Visa Signature or Visa Infinite. A credit score of 700 and above is considered as ideal. However, the biggest budget items like groceries, gas and travel (hotels, etc) are at 1.5 points for the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card. When the travel credit is netted against the annual fee, we can think of the Platinum Card as having an effective annual fee of $499, which is more favourable than what the premium Aeroplan cards are charging. $189 CLEAR Credit: CLEAR uses biometrics to assign you a touchless ID, allowing you to move faster through security at select airports and stadiums across the U.S. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR membership with up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR with your Business Platinum Card. 2023 Upgraded Points, LLC. Meanwhile, Visa Infinite Concierge merely provided a brief sentence or two about each (our full review of the Platinum Card by American Express goes into great detail on this too). It was a close race, but I did manage to come up with a winner. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Each of these three concierge services offered something that the others did not, so if you hold multiple premium credit cards and have access to multiple concierge services, I'd encourage you to utilize them all (provided you have ample time to do so). Youll also get a $300 annual travel credit and $120 in partner benefits, which rotate often and include Peloton as of this writing. Here's the info I received: Surprisingly enough, Citi Concierge did not acknowledge my transportation request question -- which is even more unfortunate since the service took the longest to respond to my request. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Among other benefits, this card comes with $200 in travel credits each year for incidentals such as baggage fees. And youll earn unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day. If youre big into luxury extras, go for the Black Card. All Right Reserved 2014 Total IT Software Solutions Pvt. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Find the right card for you. Youll earn 2x AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants. How does this compare to the American Express Platinum card? The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. The welcome bonus consists of 50,000 American Airlines points when you spend $2,500 in the first three months. Youll earn 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly through the Altitude Rewards Center. In the 2020 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study by J.D. CEO There are also some lounges that you can access via the Plat directly, like Delta SkyClubs. The Chase Sapphire Reserve might be a better choice if you want to save upwards of $150 on the annual fee but still enjoy a lot of the same benefits. Obviously, the Citi AAdvantage card is best for those who prefer to travel with American Airlines. Visa Infinite is the highest tier you can get and comes with all of the benefits from Traditional and Signature. No Foreign Transaction Fees. Were sharing potential alternatives to Amex Platinum, the details on each card and what they might have to offer you, and why you might want to stick with the Platinum card depending on your usage. While on the American Express Aeroplan * Card, you could earn 50,000 points after six months by spending $3,000. Almost all Canadian credit cards impose a hefty 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in currencies other than the Canadian dollar. Recently, he's invested in a few pieces of art on Masterworks too. Email needed if you'd like comment updates. The American Express Platinum card has several attractive alternatives. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Its probably not even on your radar! Thats better than American Express. Winner: Platinum Card Concierge wins without a fight, but even if Visa Infinite Concierge and Citi Concierge got back to me, I'm confident that Platinum Card Concierge still would have won. How does this compare to the American Express Platinum card? The much-lower annual fee will likely make up for what youre not getting in higher-end travel benefits that you might not care about anyway. What are the must-sees or must-do's to make sure I get the most out of my 12 hours? Related: Dining out, taking out and ordering in: These are the best cards for foodies. Can you pay off a 72 month car loan early? But first, below are the highlights of each respective cards and then provided my commentary on some of the key factors to compare. At a minimum, it might be a good idea to keep cards with different networks to cover you in all circumstances. UBS Visa Infinite Chase Sapphire Reserve Amex Platinum Card; In this Indigo Platinum Mastercard review, I cover the card's features, including the positives and negatives, and share some Indigo Mastercard alternatives. A notable perk of carrying a Visa Infinite card is that most have added travel insurance coverage. How does this compare to the American Express Platinum card? I am not a financial adviser. A credit score of 700 and above is considered as ideal. Your Visa Platinum card offers a credit limit up to $50,000. It's better than a Visa Classic but less luxurious than a Visa Signature or Visa Infinite. Terms Apply. But it comes with cell phone insurance, a minor perk. The American Express Global Lounge Collection can provide an escape at the airport. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card offers several great travel benefits and a lower annual fee. We may be compensated when you click on links from one or more of our advertising partners. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. If you have a specific card in mind, you will not have a choice as to which network your card will be in. Rs. Amex Platinums fee is higher, but you also get 40,000 more points with 2,000 more in purchases. How Do You Choose Between American Express, Visa & Mastercard? What percent of income should go to mortgage? Box 323 However, if youd rather have more flexibility in where you stay, or if you dont use hotels often, youre likely better off with a general rewards card like the Amex Platinum. Global customer assistance. These additional items might include things like Global Entry statement credits, additional travel insurance coverage, increased warranty protection, and access to special events, among others. Which is Better Visa Platinum or Visa Infinite? Thats significantly lower than the Amex Platinum offer, though the spending requirement to earn the bonus is also lower. Jim has a B.S. Hot Tip: Just in the last year, almost a million new U.S. locations began accepting American Express. As of this writing, theres also a $10 per month in credits at participating restaurants when you pay with the Gold Card. You might be able to qualify for some with a score in the very high 500s. At face value, there appears to be no difference between the types of services offered. Sign up for our daily newsletter! Terms Apply. But first, below are the highlights of each respective cards and then provided my commentary on some of the key factors to compare. The 15 Best First Class Lounges in the World [2023], The 5 Best Ways To Find Cheap Flights in 2022 [Detailed Guide], , cash-back potential, interest rates, and more, Quick Facts Comparing Visa, MasterCard & American Express, American Express has an excellent reputation when it comes to customer service. My upcoming itinerary to Italy included a 12-hour layover at Athens International Airport (ATH), and I was 100% committed to getting out of the airport and exploring the city a bit since Greece has recently reopened to travelers. Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. It seems likely that a huge reason for this increase is due to the fees between the networks becoming closer aligned. There are no foreign transaction fees with the Citi Premier card, but other than that you wont find much in the way of additional travel benefits such as Global Entry or TSA Precheck credits or access to airport lounges. On the other hand, I also had a strong hunch that, outside of the fanciest restaurants in the country, there wouldn't be much variation in how well these concierges could lock down a reservation for me. This means that anywhere that accepts credit cards usually accepts cards from all 3 networks American Express, Visa, and Mastercard. Winner: The Amex Platinum takes the lead in this first category, especially if you are targeted for an elevated offer through CardMatch. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. In addition, the card offers special access to tickets (including presale tickets) for thousands of events including sporting events, concerts, dining experiences, and more. 10X on hotels and rental cards booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards and 5X points on flights booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3X on travel and dining, 1X on everything else. Another important factor to consider when comparing networks is how widely accepted it is. The American Express Gold Card has an annual fee of $250. Verdict: Once the $200 travel credit is taken into account, the Platinum Cards price point is more favourable. The Visa Platinum is the second tier of the four Visa credit card types. Highly flexible, transferable, and with a slew of non-travel related rewards, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite offers a lot to those looking for a travel-centric points program. It seems likely that a huge reason for this increase is due to the fees between the networks becoming closer aligned. Score: 4.4/5 ( 20 votes ) The RBC Visa Platinum Avion ($120 annual fee) lets you earn 1 RBC Rewards point per $1 spent on the card and comes with a 15,000-point credit card sign-up bonus. How does this compare to the American Express Platinum card? It's easy to qualify for, and you gain access to several Mastercard benefits. Winner: The Amex Platinum takes the lead in this first category, especially if you are targeted for an elevated offer through CardMatch. The most recent comparative post was: AMEX vs. CIBC vs. TD Aeroplan Platinum/Privilege Cards. Ltd. You must call UBS or contact your UBS Financial Advisor to apply for the card. Most users would earn back the $95 annual fee with gained points quite quickly. Earn 1 reward point for every INR 150 spent on all other categories. This card is similar to the consumer version that Amex offers, but with more business-oriented perks around statement credits and earning rates that are a better fit for business owners. Most Visa Platinum cards require a credit score in the 600s. Thats significantly lower than the Amex Platinum offer, though the spending requirement to earn the bonus is also lower. Power, American Express came in first in overall customer satisfaction. Platinum Card Concierge also included contact information for tourist offices in case of an emergency. It is likely that your card will offer additional benefits in addition to these network benefits, but the following includes the minimum benefits that may be offered. American Express is both a card issuer AND a payment network. The Visa Platinum is the second tier of the four Visa credit card types. While there is no set score needed, we recommend you have a credit score of at least 720, 2 years of clean credit history, and an income of at least $50,000 per year to apply for the Amex Platinum card. You might be able to qualify for some with a score in the very high 500s. These fees do have to be charged to your Platinum card, and the credits only apply to your pre-selected airline. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card is somewhat competitive with the Platinum card in terms of points rewards. But as you can see, each network offers different protections, levels of customer service, and even different types of rewards, so its important to factor this into your decision as well. Priority Pass Select is included, which means youll have access to over 1,300 lounges in over 500 cities worldwide. Full Review The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is a solid option for those with average credit. The content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional financial advice. Here are the best cards for making your trip more comfortable. The benefits that each network offers are slightly different, with Mastercard offering a higher level of benefits with its World Elite card offerings. Amex sourced its information from the travel website Frommers, which emphasized that public transportation is the best option in Athens -- especially the Metro, since buses can get stuck in rush hour traffic. The "up to" is key here. Please consult with a licensed financial or tax advisor before making any decisions based on the information you see here. Earn 5 reward points for every INR 150 spent on fuel. All credit bureaus in India offer a credit score between 300-900, 900 being the highest. Good for traveller oversea. All three concierge services provided excellent restaurant recommendations with all the necessary information (address, hours, phone number and type of cuisine). For Visa Infinite Privilege, the income requirements are $200,000 for either personal or household, at least double the Visa Infinite requirements. The 2% redemption value on airfare with the Black Card is nice, but the Platinum card 5x points on airfare purchases edges the Black Card out. If you travel often, like luxury travel benefits such as concierge services, and would benefit from the bonus points for travel, get the Platinum card. At face value, there appears to be no difference between the types of services offered. Jim Wang is a forty-something father of four who is a frequent contributor to Forbes and Vanguard's Blog. Meanwhile, Visa Infinite Concierge and Citi Concierge did not acknowledge my request about the must-sees or must-do's. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card. And unlike a secured credit card, you won't have to contribute a security deposit. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, our full review of the Platinum Card by American Express goes into great detail on this too, Learn more about the Mastercard Black Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. Winner: While all three concierges did a great job providing me with this information, Visa Infinite Concierge presented the information clearly and concisely, providing estimates tailored to my situation. Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. TPG also values Ultimate Rewards points at 2 cents each, making this bonus worth $1,200. You might be able to qualify for some with a score in the very high 500s. I finally got a reply with all the answers on June 18 -- nine days later -- but it's unclear whether Citi would have responded if it weren't for my follow-up email. Visit www.rbc.com/rewardsapp today. When the travel credit is netted against the annual fee, we can think of the Platinum Card as having an effective annual fee of $499, which is more favourable than what the premium Aeroplan cards are charging. However, there are two different phone numbers one dedicated for Visa Signature cardholders and another for Visa Infinite cardholders. This blog has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card offers several great travel benefits and a lower annual fee. Check out the list of features for each one to determine which would be best for your needs. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). The Infinite card offers accelerated cash back rates: 4% for grocery store purchases, 2% for gas, and 1% for daily transit purchases.